UNIVITY Raises €27M for VLEO 5G NTN and Operator-Led Space Connectivity
France’s UNIVITY has raised €27 million in Series A funding to accelerate development of its Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) platform, positioning itself as a new entrant in Europe’s rapidly expanding satellite-to-mobile ecosystem.
The Paris-based company will use the funding to complete its uniShape VLEO demonstration programme, develop its telecom operator offering and prepare for commercial scale-up from 2028. The initiative includes launching two demonstration satellites designed to validate high-throughput, low-latency 5G NTN services, including direct-to-smartphone connectivity.
UNIVITY’s approach combines VLEO satellite deployment with the use of mobile network operators’ existing 5G spectrum, aiming to enable seamless integration with terrestrial networks. By operating at lower orbital altitudes, the company is targeting reduced latency and improved performance compared to traditional LEO systems, while also addressing sustainability through faster atmospheric deorbiting.
The announcement comes amid continued investment momentum across the European space sector, with funding flowing into satellite connectivity, launch and infrastructure players as the market scales toward commercial deployment.
The strategy highlights several emerging themes in the NTN landscape:
Operator-centric models: UNIVITY is positioning itself as a wholesale infrastructure provider, enabling MNOs to retain control of services rather than relying on vertically integrated satellite players
VLEO differentiation: Lower orbital altitudes are being explored to improve latency and performance for both broadband and D2D use cases
Spectrum strategy: Leveraging existing 5G spectrum supports tighter integration with terrestrial networks and avoids congestion in traditional satellite bands
For European operators, this model could offer a path to participate more directly in the NTN value chain, addressing concerns around sovereignty and control as space-based connectivity becomes increasingly central to network strategy.